Mounce: Chocolate, Champagne, and Something Else in the Quarter

Access Esperanza Clinics—Access to Hope! AEC provides healthcare to women and men, including, but not limited to reproductive and sexual healthcare. It provides primary healthcare and routine screenings. It receives funding from federal land state programs plus grants from charitable foundations. On Saturday, April 20, 2024, chocolates, champagne, and “N’Walins” style food were served to over 100 Rio Grande Valley citizens, among them students, teachers, professors, and other major “influencers.”

The annual fest was a major success. AEC is alive and well. It provides just that—access to health and reproductive care for women and men in need of information and assistance about family planning, reproduction, and related health issues. To their credit, in the past five years, AEC has had over 1,000 visits. In 2023 alone 16,000 were for birth control, STI testing, breast exams and pap smears. Ninety-four percent of clients were low-income; 43 percent had two or more children. 

Professor Carlo Gonzalez and Dr. Isidoro Flores.

Former Congressman Rubén Hinojosa and wife Martha.

Dr. Isidoro Flores and Dr. Gary Joe Mounce.

Alex and the Chasers

The Access clinics are “sixty years strong,” according to their promotional material. Of special mention at the joyous event was Ms. Melba Chapa, who began AEC’s Entre Nosotros’ promotora educative project about family planning. Promotoras go door to door in colonias, in pulgas, to schools, including South Texas College and the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. They have helped educate over 23,000 adults and teens. They may be the “unsung heroes” of healthcare in the Valley. 

All the above: very serious business. The event was designed to help celebrate the past, invigorate the future, but also to raise funds, including contributions, and through a sprightly auction of art and other collectibles. A veritable New Orleans atmosphere was palatable with band music provided by Alex and the Chasers. Appropriately attired wait persons served champagne (mimosas for the timid) and Cajun food to the festive crowd. Tables were adorned with small bags of chocolates, as well as condoms. The symbolism was not missed.   

Editor’s Note: The above guest column was penned by UT-Rio Grande Valley Professor Emeritus Dr. Gary Joe Mounce. The column appears in The Rio Grande Guardian International News Service with the permission of the author. All images courtesy of Dr. Mounce. Dr. Mounce can be reached by email via: gjmounce@gmail.com.  

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